Kentucky Waterfowl Season 2026-27
Kentucky waterfowl season dates start with Nov 21, 2026-Feb 14, 2027. The table below keeps every listed waterfowl row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Kentucky's listed 2026-27 waterfowl season runs Nov 21, 2026-Feb 14, 2027.
Military/Veteran-only Waterfowl opens Nov 22, 2026 and closes Feb 8, 2027.
General Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant opens Nov 26, 2026 and closes Feb 15, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Kentucky KDFWR.
Waterfowl
Canada Goose
September Season
Sept. 1 for 15 consecutive days
Zone: Western September Canada Goose Zone
Canada Goose
September Season
Sept. 16 for 15 consecutive days
Zone: Eastern September Canada Goose Zone
Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant
General
Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15
Duck, Coot, Merganser
General
Two segments: Nov. 26-29, 2026; Dec. 7, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027. Thanksgiving Day for 4 consecutive days; Dec. 7 thru Jan. 31.
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Feb. 16 - March 31
Snow Goose (including Ross' Goose)
General
Thanksgiving Day thru Feb. 15
Teal
General
3rd Sat. in Sept. for 9 consecutive days
Waterfowl
Youth-only
Two days: Nov. 21, 2026 and Feb. 14, 2027. Sat. before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sat. in Feb.
Waterfowl
Military/Veteran-only
Two days: Nov. 22, 2026 and Feb. 8, 2027. Sun. before Thanksgiving and 2nd Sun. in Feb.
Waterfowl
Falconry
Goose: Nov. 26, 2026-Feb. 15, 2027; Duck: Nov. 26, 2026-Feb. 28, 2027. Thanksgiving Day thru last Sun. in Feb.
Wood Duck
General
3rd Sat. in Sept. for 5 consecutive days
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Nearby waterfowl seasons
Kentucky Waterfowl Season FAQ
When does waterfowl season open in Kentucky?
September 1, 2026 is the earliest listed waterfowl opener in Kentucky — september season canada goose runs Sep 1-15, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Kentucky KDFWR.
What are the 2026-27 waterfowl season dates in Kentucky?
Kentucky lists 11 waterfowl season windows: September Season Canada Goose (Sep 1-15, 2026); September Season Canada Goose (Sep 16-30, 2026); General Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant (Nov 26, 2026-Feb 15, 2027); General Duck, Coot, Merganser (Nov 26, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); Conservation Order Light Goose (Feb 16-Mar 31, 2027); General Snow Goose (including Ross' Goose) (Nov 26, 2026-Feb 15, 2027); General Teal (Sep 19-23, 2026); Youth-only Waterfowl (Nov 21, 2026-Feb 14, 2027); and more. Always verify against Kentucky KDFWR before hunting.
Are there different waterfowl seasons in Kentucky?
Yes — Kentucky lists separate waterfowl seasons for September Season Canada Goose, General Canada/Cackling Goose, White-fronted Goose & Brant, General Duck, Coot, Merganser, Conservation Order Light Goose, General Snow Goose (including Ross' Goose), General Teal. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Kentucky KDFWR.
Do I need a license to hunt waterfowl in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and waterfowl hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Kentucky KDFWR.